The mouse that soared: Leaping rodent captured by photographer

He may not have a cape but this rodent looks like a real Mighty Mouse as he spectacularly hurdles a patch of grass.

Flying mouse: John Cocks’s photo was highly commended by judges (Picture: John Cocks/PA/RHS)

He was captured mid-air by cameraman John Cocks, who won a commendation for the image in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society annual photographic competition. The snap was one of thousands submitted by amateur and professional photographers.

Other top pictures included a striking shot of a bare tree in a snowy landscape and close-ups of insects on plants.

The winning photograph, of an olive tree surrounded by tulips, was taken by Josie Elias, from Sherborne, Dorset.

She won £1,000 for her picture. Josie had stumbled on the Iris Garden at Plantas Distintas in Marnes, Spain, by chance.

‘The judges have been astounded by the extraordinary quality of the images which people have produced from all over the world,’ said organiser James Arnold.